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Neural and Neuromuscular Side-Effects of Lithium

  • Chapter
Handbook of Lithium Therapy

Abstract

The effects of lithium on the central nervous system have been known since the renaissance of lithium treatment 30 years ago. Indeed, there were a number of deaths when the drug was first given as a salt substitute in cardiac failure. It was not then realized in the United States that the central nervous system is particularly sensitive to lithium if given in incorrect fashion. Cade1 recognized early that high doses of lithium could lead to coma, and was able to recommend specific dosage schedules for lithium which hold up very well to present-day scrutiny. The margin between a therapeutic dose of lithium and one leading to serious neurotoxic effects is small, and a number of factors can conspire to cause serious CNS effects in patients receiving what would otherwise be a safe dose of lithium.

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Authors
  1. Stephen Tyrer
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  2. Baron Shopsin
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Lancaster, England

    F. Neil Johnson PhD (Senior Lecturer in Psychology) (Senior Lecturer in Psychology)

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© 1980 MTP Press Limited

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Tyrer, S., Shopsin, B. (1980). Neural and Neuromuscular Side-Effects of Lithium. In: Johnson, F.N. (eds) Handbook of Lithium Therapy. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7197-7_34

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7197-7_34

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-011-7199-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-7197-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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